Changing from 1Xday feeding to 24/7 access to feed?

[Mimi13]

My chickens and ducks have access to feed 14/7 (during waking hours) in a covered run, not the coop. They eat in the morning before I let them out, but once I open the run door they make a bee-line to go forage. Occasionally they will come in and eat during the day (mostly the birds lower in the pecking order).

Look at this website, Premier 1 Supplies. https://www.premier1supplies.com/c/poultry-supplies/feeders-and-accessories/
They have several feeder types to choose from. Several have covers to shield from rain and some sit on the ground instead of hanging.

Personally I have to use the hanging type as my biggest predator/pest is ANTS - fire ants that attack any feeder sitting in the ground. I’ve got a brand new Grandpa’s Feeder, that I purchased in the very beginning, and quickly found out it was useless. I even have to go so far as sprinkle Garden and Poultry Dust on the ground around the feeders to keep the ants away. It kills them within minutes.

 

[Japetus]

I wouldn't use a feeder where unconsumed feed can be easily accessed by rodents at night.

 

[donddon]

When I open the gate into my run, I need to get out of the way! The chickens would fly right through me if they could, to hit the range. They'll wander back in for a drink and to lay eggs, but they really stay outside the run all day, till I cal them in for the night. I put veggie scraps on the compost pile and they dig through them as they please. Inside the run I keep a hanging feeder as well as oyster shell and grit (which I probably don't need).

 

[Al Gerhart]

Sounds like you have a good system in place. Keeping a pile of food around is just inviting rodents and other critters to start coming around. If you are getting enough eggs, why mess with what you are doing successfully? Laying hens would eat the pellets to get the protein they need but they aren't gonna get lazy if it is available. I would imagine it doesn't taste that good.

 

[alwaystj9]

My chickens and ducks have access to feed 14/7 (during waking hours) in a covered run, not the coop. They eat in the morning before I let them out, but once I open the run door they make a bee-line to go forage. Occasionally they will come in and eat during the day (mostly the birds lower in the pecking order).

Look at this website, Premier 1 Supplies. https://www.premier1supplies.com/c/poultry-supplies/feeders-and-accessories/
They have several feeder types to choose from. Several have covers to shield from rain and some sit on the ground instead of hanging.

Personally I have to use the hanging type as my biggest predator/pest is ANTS - fire ants that attack any feeder sitting in the ground. I’ve got a brand new Grandpa’s Feeder, that I purchased in the very beginning, and quickly found out it was useless. I even have to go so far as sprinkle Garden and Poultry Dust on the ground around the feeders to keep the ants away. It kills them within minutes.

I hadn't thought about the ants -- they are a problem here, too. I just realized the darn things were walking along the top rail of the fence to get into my horse's hanging bucket.
I did look at the link you added. Some of those are pretty cool. One of those is very expensive. Also, wonder the rain hats are about the same price as the feeder?

 

[alwaystj9]

Sounds like you have a good system in place. Keeping a pile of food around is just inviting rodents and other critters to start coming around. If you are getting enough eggs, why mess with what you are doing successfully? Laying hens would eat the pellets to get the protein they need but they aren't gonna get lazy if it is available. I would imagine it doesn't taste that good.

They do eat everything else before the pellets!
I may some day want to go away for more than over night....some day...in a better world....I am trying to find ways to make it easier for someone else (who may be of limited animal sense) to feed the creatures. Based on the limited vacation experience I have had, I almost need to automate everything. Last time I went away the person feeding for me decided to go ahead and feed the chickens in the feed room since they were already in there....(grrr.) And I got a call from the police because my goats were running down the road. I was in Virginia - my goats were in Louisiana, not much I could do to help. But I have arranged that my goats can be fed & watered without someone opening the gate.